Alabama · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Lowndes County, AL

The median household in Lowndes County, AL earns $37,052 a year ($3,088/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,016/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $40,640 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 10.3% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$37,052$3,088 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,016HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)89.7-10.3% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate16.4¢per kWh · EIA Residential AL
Census Population9,833Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Lowndes County, AL

Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.

Moderate cost burden (30–50%)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,016Monthly market rent
Share of gross income32.9%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$40,640To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$926At 30% of $37,052
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Lowndes County, AL

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Montgomery, AL MSA. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent Schedule for Lowndes County, AL
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$860$10,320$34,40027.9%
1-Bedroom Apartment$870$10,440$34,80028.2%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,016$12,192$40,64032.9%
3-Bedroom Home$1,304$15,648$52,16042.2%
4-Bedroom Home$1,537$18,444$61,48049.8%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Lowndes County, AL →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Lowndes County, AL

Based on the local median household income of $37,052/year ($3,088/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$1,544/moRent ($1,016 2-BR), utilities (~$148/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$926/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 89.7 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$618/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Alabama

Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Alabama state income tax based on the local median baseline.

$37,052
$15,000$75,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$37,052
Net 82%
Fed 6%
AL 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$30,452After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,538Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,171Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.8%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,266 / yr
Alabama state income tax$1,499 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,834 / yr

Compare earnings and living costs across Alabama with official federal datasets:

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Lowndes County, AL

What is the median household income in Lowndes County, AL?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Lowndes County, AL is $37,052 per year (approximately $3,088 per month).

What is the average rent in Lowndes County, AL?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Lowndes County, AL are $860 for a studio, $870 for 1 bedroom, $1,016 for 2 bedrooms, $1,304 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,537 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Lowndes County, AL compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Lowndes County, AL is 89.7 (10.3% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Lowndes County, AL?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,016/month) in Lowndes County, AL requires a minimum gross household income of $40,640 per year ($3,387 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Lowndes County, AL?

For a typical household earning the median income of $37,052/year ($3,088/month) in Lowndes County, AL, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $1,544/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $926/month to discretionary spending, and $618/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Lowndes County, AL?

Residential electricity rates in Alabama average 16.4¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $148 per month.